The Niles Haunted House Scream Park once again is ready to officially start autumn by “scaring the yell out of you” with six different haunted attractions.

This year marks the 40th consecutive year of their annual fright festival. They will open their squeaky gates on Friday, Sept. 13, and will be open on the remaining Fridays and Saturdays in September. Beginning in October, the park will be open all weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) plus Halloween night and the first Friday and Saturday in November.

 

New scares

The Niles Haunted House has continued the tradition of rebuilding the passageways and rooms of its three haunted houses with all new themes and scares. Journey through the mystical Shire in the 2013 Niles Haunted House: American Hobbit Story, but be very careful not to disturb the creatures dwelling in the shadows. With more than 100 possible routes through the main house, there is no telling where visitors will end up.

Experience the thrills and chills of New Orleans at the “Voodoo Bayou,” where visitors’ Mardi Gras plans may be interrupted by bewitched Cajun magic. A laboratory experiment went catastrophically wrong in “Biological Terror.”

The Field of Screams offers a completely revamped collection of outdoor mazes. But patrons are warned — if they don’t find your bearings quickly the zombie apocalypse may not let them leave.

The Dark Terror-tory Haunted Hayride will take visitors on a ride through many phobias, including the “Trail of Fears.”

On select nights, patrons also will be able to experience “Zendor Presents: Dr. Nefario’s Psychic Side Show” where the doctor is “insane.” Barbara the Grey Witch is back again to read tarot cards, palms and to tell fortunes.

New this year is the zipline attraction, “Screamline!” Starting more than 40 feet off the ground, patrons will race on a ride that’s sure to thrill.

An improved “Midway of the Macabre” will feature old favorites like “Fry Freddy” and the “Xterminator.”

This year also will see a new addition — the “Scream Machine” where visitors get to pick the next victim.

The midway features several food concessions that provide enough variety to satisfy all cravings. The Gore Store will let visitors shop till they drop for the latest Halloween paraphernalia. A freak show, Skittems Side Show of Screams, will fascinate with its freaky feats.

 

A scary good cause

The Niles Haunted House is a non-profit community project that utilizes approximately 150 to 200 volunteers per night to staff its various attractions. These volunteers represent over 65 Michiana area community and school organizations. Over the last 17 years, more than $1.2 million has been donated to local and national non-profit organizations, and to the Niles Haunted House funded college scholarships for students at Niles, Brandywine, Dowagiac and Edwardsburg High Schools.

The Niles Haunted House Scream Park is located on Mayflower Road, south of Niles Buchanan Road just off Exit 5 of the US 31 Bypass. More information on prices, times and dates of operation can be obtained by visiting the Niles Haunted House web site at www.haunted.org or by calling (269) 687-3327.